Plasma-wall interaction in Hall thrusters with magnetic lens configuration

Some recently developed Hall thrusters utilize a magnetic field configuration in which the field lines penetrate the thruster walls at a high incidence angle. This so-called magnetic lens leads to an electric field pointing away from the walls, which is expected to reduce ion losses and improve thru...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 2012-06, Vol.111 (12)
Main Authors: Brieda, Lubos, Keidar, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS
CONFIGURATION
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRON EMISSION
IONS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC MIRRORS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
PLASMA
PLASMA SHEATH
PLASMA SIMULATION
WALL EFFECTS
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Summary:Some recently developed Hall thrusters utilize a magnetic field configuration in which the field lines penetrate the thruster walls at a high incidence angle. This so-called magnetic lens leads to an electric field pointing away from the walls, which is expected to reduce ion losses and improve thruster efficiency. This configuration also introduces an interesting behavior in the sheath formation. At sufficiently large angles, ions are repelled from the wall, and sheath collapse is expected. We use a plasma simulation code to investigate this phenomenon in detail. We consider the role of the magnetic field incidence angle, secondary electron emission, and a magnetic mirror. Numerical study confirms the theoretical predictions, and at large angles, ions are seen to turn away from the wall. We also consider the role of the magnetic field geometry on ion wall flux and channel erosion, and observe reduction in both quantities as the magnetic field incidence angle is increased.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.4730340